ことにはならないdoesn't count as; doesn't mean
Something was done, or is true, but it falls short of a bigger claim: "that doesn't count as…", "that doesn't mean…". You are correcting a conclusion, coolly.
Just reading the textbook doesn't count as studying.
Just because the price is high doesn't mean the quality is good.
How to form it
Plain form + ことにはならない
Most often after a た-form: 謝ったことにはならない. A noun or な-adjective usually comes in with という: 最善だということにはならない. Polite ことにはなりません. In conversation the は often drops.
- Before it
- The bigger claim that hasn't been earned: 勉強した, 謝った, 賛成した, 知っている.
- Earlier in the sentence
- What was done or is true, often with だけでは, ても, からといって or それで.
- Where you'll meet it
- Arguments and discussions, rules and their small print, opinion pieces.
In use
Attending the meeting does not count as agreeing with the proposal.
Meeting someone once does not mean that you know them well.
I've tidied my room.
Shoving everything in the closet doesn't count as tidying.
Not decided, or doesn't count?
ことになる is "that amounts to", and also "it's been decided". The second has a negative too: about a plan, and mostly as ことにはならなかった or ことにはなっていない.
Helping out once doesn't count as having been in charge of reception.
After a た-form: what was done doesn't earn the name.
In the end, I wasn't put in charge of reception.
After a dictionary form, about a plan: it wasn't decided.
After a た-form it is nearly always "doesn't count as". After a dictionary form it can be either: is the sentence about a plan, or a conclusion?
With そんな, 大変な or 困った in front, こと is just "a situation": そんなことにはならない, "it won't come to that".
Close neighbours
ことになるN4
The positive: "that comes to", "that means", as well as "it's been decided".
If you spend 500 yen a day, that comes to 15,000 yen a month.
たことにするN2
With する, you choose to count it as done, whatever the facts: "let's say I did", "I'll pretend I didn't".
I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
わけではないN3
"It's not that…": it takes back a conclusion without saying the opposite. ことにはならない says one thing doesn't add up to another.
This job is not exactly easy, but it is rewarding.
Check yourself
1What is B saying?
A
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which sentence is about a decision?
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Simply submitting the application does not mean that registration is complete.
Just because every participant agreed does not mean that the proposal is the best one.
Having a membership card does not mean that you may use the facilities at any time.
Passing the exam does not mean that you can immediately do the job.
Just because it is free does not mean that no reservation is required.
He apologized.
But that does not mean he has fulfilled his responsibility.